The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

The Scorpio Races
by Maggie Stiefvater

Genre: Fantasy | Young Adult

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

One year after the death of their parents, Puck & her two brothers are getting by the best way they can within their little village of Thisby. When Puck's older brother, Gabe, declares he is going to permanently leave the island for the main land, Puck brazenly decides to participate in the Scorpio Races that occur ever November, in hopes that Gabe will stay on to assist for awhile longer. Yet, when all the odds turn against her (i.e. threats becasue she is the first female racer in a bloody sport dominated by men, eviction from the only home she has ever know, etc.), can her choice to join the races really help her get the outcome she so deeply desires, and if so - at what cost?

Honestly, I did not really know what to expect upon starting this book, but easily found myself absorbed in the fantasy story of the island lifestyle and the daily interactions of all the villagers and dangerous sea-creatures (i.e. water-horses: Capall Uisce). Puck's easy-going & stubborn temperament was enjoyable and the vivid descriptions of the island, Thisby, really created a reality that peaked both my historical and legendary/mythical interests. The book's narration was shared with a fellow islander, Sean, whose whole life revolves solely around the races. He takes on a very calm & level-headed POV within the book while Puck seems a bit lost & impulsive. It was delightful to slowly realize how much both Pick and Sean complimented each other as they accepted that fact that they could only really trust each other. As the races approach, the adrenaline speeds up for the reader and the tale becomes more gruesome and deadly - so expect a bumpy and entertaining ride!

Likes: Even though this was slated as YA, it carried a heavier subject matter (lots of death) than most and much of the dialogue was geared towards older readers.

Dislikes: I wasn't too pleased with how the story ended. I felt there were too many unanswered questions that an epilogue would have been much appreciated and unfortunately, I don't think a sequel/series will follow. Boo! From MS: Will there be a sequel to The Scorpio Races? -- I don’t think so. I mean, never say never, but I think I am pretty happy with how it ended.

Rating:

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Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

Linger
(Wolves of Mercy Falls Book #2)
by Maggie Stiefvater

Genre: Paranormal Romance | Fantasy | Young Adult

This is the story of a boy who used to be a wolf and a girl who was becoming one.  

Just a few months ago, it was Sam who was the mythical creature. His was the disease we couldn't cure. His was the good-bye that meant the most. He had the body that was a mystery, too strange and wonderful and terrifying to comprehend.  But now it is spring. With the heat, the remaining wolves will soon be falling out of their wolf pelts and back into their human bodies. Sam stays Sam, and Cole stays Cole, and it's only me who's not firmly in my own skin. 

So, we pick-up from the last book, Shiver.   Sam has remained all winter as a human even though he is cautious of cold drafts and finds comfort in hot drinks.  Grace's good-girl appearance is falling apart with her family after getting caught sleeping with Sam and continuing to see him upon being grounded.  Isabel is adapting to her knowledge of the existence of shifters while dealing with the loss of her brother.  The newcomer, Cole, is adjusting to being a new wolf and is slowly figuring out where he choices have lead him.  Those are the main characters and the chapters are divided and individually told from their own POV between the four.

It's Spring and the warmer it gets in Mercy Falls, the more the wolves shift back into their human forms.  At least the new ones do.  The older the wolf, the less likely the shift occurs - which is what really bothers Sam.  Deep down he's afraid he won't see Beck and Ulric in human form again and he secretly misses his family while having flashbacks of his youth. Grace is continuing to let Sam crash every night at her house, which she keeps from her parents until getting caught one night.  Yet, Grace is secretly suffering herself from headaches that get worse and eventually nose bleeding as well.  She's beginning to carry the scent of a wolf and a tragic accident from her youth is causing the wolf inside to die.  Cole becomes the first wolf of the pack to shift back to human form, something he doesn't want.  Being the newbie, he choose to take the wolf virus to escape his life.  A life of being a rising rock-star until his faked death before coming to Mercy Falls.  He shares Beck's house with Sam and deals with the rocky future that both now share.  

Personally, I felt this book wasn't as great as the first one (since I'm a sucker for lovey-dovey tales), but I still found I read it quickly, teared up at parts as well, and thought it was a great continuation for Sam and Grace.  It's truly a touching story that grips your emotions since you know what is coming, but continue reading toward it anyways and then want more at the end.  Plus, the chapters being divided up carries the story pretty easily and keeps it from becoming too monotone.  Sam and Grace are truly in love and share an amazing bond and the fresh sparks between Cole and Isabel were becoming interesting as well.  Cole's an intriguing character and I, have to say, enjoyed his chapters the best.  I even feel in love with some of this thoughts throughout Linger and wrote down a few of his lines as favorites: "I was still chasing something -- some idea of life & fame that I imagined for myself when I was [younger] -- but I was losing interest in actually finding it." (pg. 30)  Beautiful and Heart-wrenching!  If you loved the first book, you won't be disappointed with the second and you'll be eager for what's to come.

Likes: Sam's poetic side & his sincere obsession with folding paper cranes! Plus, I just dig a guy who works in a book store. 

Dislikes: This book was pretty heavy for a YA read.  Lots of thoughts of suicide, hard-core drugs, attempts of murder, feelings of abandonment, etc.

Rating:

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Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Shiver
(The Wolves of Mercy Falls Book #1)
by Maggie Stiefvater

Genre: Paranormal Romance / Young Adult

Grace, 17, loves the peace and tranquility of the woods behind her home. It is here during the cold winter months that she gets to see her wolf—the one with the yellow eyes. Grace is sure that he saved her from an attack by other wolves when she was nine. Over the ensuing years he has returned each season, watching her with those haunting eyes as if longing for something to happen. When a teen is killed by wolves, a hunting party decides to retaliate. Grace races through the woods and discovers a wounded boy shivering on her back porch. One look at his yellow eyes and she knows that this is her wolf in human form. Fate has finally brought Sam and Grace together, and as their love grows and intensifies, so does the reality of what awaits them. It is only a matter of time before the winter cold changes him back into a wolf, and this time he might stay that way forever.

Sam can only remain human during the warm months, so he doesn't have much time with Grace before winter arrives. Grace, on the other hand, is instantly drawn to Sam because of his eyes and their chemistry continues to grow throughout their story. Both are truly believable characters and Maggie Stiefvater's creation of the werewolf lifestyle is quite unique. The story is seamless and you find it hard to even close the book once you begin.

I really enjoyed the alternating story telling from both Grace and Sam throughout Shiver. Grace is obsessed about the wolves in her backyard and vise versa, Sam is passionate about getting to know "his human" - Grace. It's a perfect love story! They're both torn in different directions, but together . . . they make sense. It's also so heart wrenching at times to watch them try so hard to remain together and know, regardless, that the outcome is against them. Make this book a permanent part of your library and mark your calendars for Linger, coming out July 20th.

Likes: I love the fact that Sam works part-time at a book store . . . adorable.

Dislikes: The story will make you tear-up! I find that's always sad knowing that fact going into a book, but it's well worth it with Shiver! Enjoy!

Rating:

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